Foot-measuring device.



J. H. WAITE.

FOOT MEASURING DEVICE;

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 10, 1908.

949,289. Patented Feb. 15, 1910.

MM '30. -01" uvuocmnm WISHINOYON- 9 Cv UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN H. WAITE, OF BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

FOOT-MEASURING DEVICE.

Application filed December To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN H. WVArrn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brockton, in the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Foot-Measuring Device, of which the following is a specifi'ation.

This invention relates to a device for measuring the foot so that boots or shoes can be made from the measurements.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a construction which can be used by the person to be measured without the service of an expert and to provide a construction which will be so simple and light in construction that it can be readily sent by mail. In order to attain these objects a measure is provided preferably consisting of a heel member and a sole member although each one can be used independently of the other. These parts are provided with measuring tapes so located that they necessarily measure the foot in a certain position and the user cannot well avoid using them in the proper manner.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a practical form of the invention, and Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan of the same showing a modification.

The invention involves a heel piece comprising a bottom 10 adapted to receive the heel of the party to be measured and a back 11 against which the back of the heel is intended to be placed and which serves to limit the rearward position thereof. These parts can conveniently be made of leather, sheep-skin or any other light sheet material and they are secured together around the rear and side edges of the bottom in any convenient way so that together they constitute a representation of the back part of a boot or shoe.

A back 11 supports a plurality of measuring tapes 12, 13 and 14. Each of these tapes preferably is secured to the rear portion of the back and extends inwardly there from on both sides. In order to keep these tapes in proper position and cause them to be used always in the same way, the back also is provided near its edges with a series of slits 15 through which the measuring tape is adapted to pass. These slits guide the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 15, 1910.

10, 1908. Serial No. 466,790.

measuring tape and cause it to be brought out forward at the proper angle. It will be seen that the two upper tapes 1'2 and 13 are substantially horizontal while the bottom tape 11 extends upwardly at a considerable angle to make the desired measurement. The tape 12 measures the ankle at the top of the shoe and the tape 13 measures the ankle at the smallest part. The back is shown as provided with an opening 16 chiefly for lightness.

In the form 'shown in Fig. 1 the bottom is shown as consisting of an upper and lower part separated from each other at the front to form a pocket for receiving a tab 20 on the sole measuring member 21. In this form of the .invention this sole measuring member is formed of a sheet of paper or other thin material and it is intended to be put in position in a manner indicated in Fig. .1. Then in addition to the measures taken by the heel portion, a pencil is run around the foot to give the outline thereof on the sheet 21. In addition to this this sheet is provided with a plurality of sets of longitudinal slits 2'2 and 23 through which pass measuring tapes 24 and 25 one for the instep and the other for the ball. It will be understood that any other number of measuring tapes can be employed when desired as for example, in case of a very irregular foot a third measuring tape would be desired. These slits are made longer than the width of the tapes so that the tapes can be adjusted back and forth to suit feet of different sizes. In the use of this device the several measurements are made and they can conveniently be marked down on the sole portion on which the outline of the foot appears. This can then be taken out of the heel portion and used for making the shoe and then it can be preserved it desired for future use.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2, the bottom 10 of the heel portion is shown as sewed by a seam 30 to a sole measuring device 31 formed of oiled silk of some similar material capable of receiving a mark and from which the mark can be erased. Otherwise, the sole measuring device is of the same construction as that shown in Fig. 1 but being permanently attached to the heel portion the outline mark is erased after each use and the record is kept elsewhere.

It will be seen that the invention involves a simple and light construction which can readily be sent by mail and the measuring tapes are so supported and guided that they will always be used in the proper way and no complicated directions have to be given for the use of the device.

IVhile I have illustrated and described certain preferred forms-of the invention, I am aware that many modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction shown, but

IV hat I do claim is 1. In a foot measuring device, the combination of a heel piece formed of light sheet material and comprising an integral bottom adapted to receive the ,heel and formed of two layers of sheet material, and having a pocket in the front thereof formed between said layers, a back constituting means for receiving the back of the heel and limiting the position thereof, and a measuring tape supported by said back, with a sole measuring member having an integral tongue removably fitting in said pocket and provided with a measuring tape.

2. As an article of manufacture, a foot measuring device comprising a bottom adapted to receive a heel, a back secured to the bottom and extending upwardly therefrom, a measuring tape supported by said back in substantially horizontal position at a distance from the bottom thereof for measuring the ankle, and another measuring tape connected with the back at the bottom and rear thereof and extending upwardly on-the sides at an angle, said back having meansat its sides for holding said tapes in position thereon.

3. As an article of manufacture, ,a foot measuring device comprising a bottom adapted to receive the heel, a back secured to the bottom and a measuring tape supported by said back, said tape being secured at the rear of the bottom piece and the back piece having slits at its edges for receiving and guiding the tape.

4. As an article of manufacture, a foot measuring device comprising a bottom, a back secured to the bottom, a measuring tape supported by said back at the top thereof and fixed at the rear, a second measuring tape fixed to the rear of the back below the first mentioned tape, and a third measuring tape fixed at the bottom of the rear of the back, said back having three sets of slits along its edges for receiving said tapes and guiding them in the proper direction.

5. In a foot measuring device, the combination of a heel piece comprising a bottom adapted to receive the heel, a back secured to the bottom and extending upwardly therefrom and constituting means for receiving the back of the heel and limiting the position thereof, a measuring tape supported by said back at the top thereof and fixed at the rear, a second measuring tape fixed to the rear of the back below the first mentioned tape, a third measuring tape fixed at the bottom of the rear of the back,-said backhaving means for receiving said tapes and guiding them in the proper direction, with means extending from the front of the bottom of the heel piece for measuring the front part of the cot.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN H. IVAIT E. \Vitnesses FRED M. BIXBY, JOSEPH I-I. SMITH. 

